UNDATED (WSAU) Absentee voters showed up in big numbers in many parts of Wisconsin yesterday, as early voting began for the June 5 recall elections. Clerks generally said their first-day turnouts were about on par for a November election – and the crowds were much bigger than for the May 8 recall primaries or the April presidential primary.

Madison recorded over 400 absentee votes by mid-afternoon. In Wausau, voters were waiting for the city clerk’s office to open at eight a-m, and Clerk Toni Rayala said the crowds were much bigger than she expected. Brookfield had steady business all day long.

Milwaukee’s Election Commission lost its connection to a statewide voter registration database for about a half-hour late yesterday. Officials took about 20 votes during that time anyway. And those voters were told that if the state system showed they were not registered, their ballots would be held up until they returned to sign up.

Absentee voting continues through Friday, June 1 in the recall elections four days later for governor, lieutenant governor, and four state Senate seats.